Check Digit Calculation
Check digit validation is compulsory for cars made in North America. It also may be used in other countries or manufacturers. But particularly, it does not apply for Citroën, BMW, Renault, Audi, Korean Chevrolets, Fiat and European Fords, among others.
If trying to validate a VIN with a check digit, first either: (a) remove the check digit for the purpose of calculation; or (b) utilize the multiplicative property of zero in the weight to cancel it out. The original value of the check digit is then compared with the calculated value. If the two values do not match (and there was no error in the calculation), then there is a mistake in the VIN. However, a match does not prove the VIN is correct because there is still a 1 in 11 chance of any two distinct VINs having a matching check digit: an example of this would be the valid VINs 5GZCZ43D13S812715 (correct with leading five) and SGZCZ43D13S812715 (incorrect with leading character 'S').
Read more about this topic: Vehicle Identification Number
Famous quotes containing the words check, digit and/or calculation:
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—Henri-Frédéric Amiel (1821–1881)